U.S. patent application number 12/123800 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for video game controller.
This patent application is currently assigned to Saitek P.L.C.. Invention is credited to Stephen Thomas Bright, Robert Ian Hall, Andrew Brian Young.
Application Number | 20080311992 12/123800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38331979 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080311992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Young; Andrew Brian ; et
al. |
December 18, 2008 |
VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER
Abstract
A game controller comprising: a hand-held base unit comprising
one or more base unit actuators, each configured to generate a
respective actuation signal in response to user input; and a module
comprising two or more module actuators, each configured to
generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input.
The module is mounted to the base unit and can be rotated
horizontally between two or more orientations to adjust the
configuration of the module actuators relative to the base unit
actuator(s).
Inventors: |
Young; Andrew Brian; (Gwent,
GB) ; Hall; Robert Ian; (Bristol, GB) ;
Bright; Stephen Thomas; (Monmouthshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA, 101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Saitek P.L.C.
Almondsbury
GB
|
Family ID: |
38331979 |
Appl. No.: |
12/123800 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/24 20140902;
A63F 13/06 20130101; A63F 2300/1043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 12, 2007 |
GB |
0711355.8 |
Claims
1. A video game controller comprising: a hand-held base unit
comprising one or more base unit actuators, each configured to
generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input;
and a module comprising two or more module actuators, each
configured to generate a respective actuation signal in response to
user input; wherein the module is mounted to the base unit and can
be rotated between two or more orientations to adjust the
configuration of the module actuators relative to the base unit
actuator(s), and wherein all of the module actuators are accessible
to a user in each orientation of the module.
2. The controller of claim 1 wherein the module or the base unit
comprises two or more connectors, each of which forms a first half
of a signal interface which couples the module to the base unit
when the module is in a particular orientation.
3. The controller of claim 2 wherein the connectors are on the
module.
4. The controller of claim 1 wherein the module is housed in a
recess of the base unit.
5. The controller of claim 4 wherein the connectors are offset by
substantially equal distances from a center of the recess.
6. The controller of claim 1 wherein the base unit further
comprises a pair of hand grips.
7. The controller of claim 1 wherein at least one of the module
actuators is a direction controller.
8. The controller of claim 1 wherein at least two of the module
actuators are direction controllers.
9. The controller of claim 8 wherein one of the module actuators is
a directional pad and one of the module actuators is a stick.
10. The controller of claim 1 wherein at least one of the base unit
actuators is a direction controller.
11. The controller of claim 1 wherein at least one of the base unit
actuators can be operated by the thumb of one hand, and wherein for
each orientation of the module at least one of the module actuators
can be operated by the thumb of the other hand.
12. The controller of claim 6 wherein at least one of the base unit
actuators is positioned relative to the hand grips so as to enable
it to be operated by the thumb of one hand, and wherein for each
orientation of the module at least one of the module actuators is
positioned relative to the hand grips so as to enable it to be
operated by the thumb of the other hand.
13. The controller of claim 1 wherein the module is mounted to the
base unit and can be rotated horizontally between two or more
orientations to adjust the configuration of the module actuators
relative to the base unit actuator(s).
14. A method of operating a video game controller, the controller
comprising a hand-held base unit comprising one or more base unit
actuators, each configured to generate a respective actuation
signal in response to user input; and a module comprising two or
more module actuators, each configured to generate a respective
actuation signal in response to user input, the method comprising:
mounting the module on the base unit in a first orientation;
generating actuation signals with at least one of the base unit
actuators and at least two of the module actuators with the module
in the first orientation; rotating the module into a second
orientation; and generating actuation signals with at least one of
the base unit actuators and at least two of the module actuators
with the module in the second orientation.
15. A video game controller comprising: a hand-held base unit
comprising one or more base unit actuators, each configured to
generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input;
and a module comprising two or more module actuators, each
configured to generate a respective actuation signal in response to
user input; wherein the module is mounted to the base unit and can
be rotated horizontally between two or more orientations to adjust
the configuration of the module actuators relative to the base unit
actuator(s).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority United Kingdom Patent
Application No. 0711355.8, filed on Jun. 12, 2007, the contents of
which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a hand-held video game
controller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hand-held controllers are commonly used to provide user
input to a video game running on a game processor such as an IBM
PC.TM., Sony Playstation.TM. or Microsoft Xbox.TM..
[0004] Such controllers commonly include a pair of directional
controllers, each operated by a respective thumb. In a conventional
Xbox.TM. gamepad, the left thumb can either operate a directional
pad (conventionally known as a D-pad) at a front-center position,
or an analog stick at a rear-left position. The opposite
configuration is commonly used in a conventional Playstation.TM.
gamepad. That is, the analog stick is at the front-center position,
and the D-pad is at the rear-left position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a video game controller
comprising: [0006] a hand-held base unit comprising one or more
base unit actuators, each configured to generate a respective
actuation signal in response to user input; and [0007] a module
comprising two or more module actuators, each configured to
generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input;
wherein the module is mounted to the base unit and can be rotated
between two or more orientations to adjust the configuration of the
module actuators relative to the base unit actuator(s), and wherein
all of the module actuators are accessible to a user in each
orientation of the module.
[0008] A further aspect of the invention provides a video game
controller comprising: [0009] a hand-held base unit comprising one
or more base unit actuators, each configured to generate a
respective actuation signal in response to user input; and [0010] a
module comprising two or more module actuators, each configured to
generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input;
wherein the module is mounted to the base unit and can be rotated
horizontally between two or more orientations to adjust the
configuration of the module actuators relative to the base unit
actuator(s).
[0011] A further aspect of the invention provides a method of
operating a video game controller, the controller comprising a
hand-held base unit comprising one or more base unit actuators,
each configured to generate a respective actuation signal in
response to user input; and a module comprising two or more module
actuators, each configured to generate a respective actuation
signal in response to user input, the method comprising: [0012]
mounting the module on the base unit in a first orientation; [0013]
generating actuation signals with at least one of the base unit
actuators and at least two of the module actuators with the module
in the first orientation; [0014] rotating the module into a second
orientation; and [0015] generating actuation signals with at least
one of the base unit actuators and at least two of the module
actuators with the module in the second orientation.
[0016] The invention enables the module actuators to be adjusted
into a configuration which suits a particular user.
[0017] Typically the module or the base unit comprises two or more
connectors, each of which forms a first half of a signal interface
between the module and the base unit when the module is in a
particular orientation. The signal interface may be a contact-less
interface in which the signals are transmitted over an air
interface--but more preferably the connectors comprise electrical
plugs or sockets.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment described below, the multiple
connectors are on the base unit. This arrangement is preferred
since it enables the orientation of the module to be easily sensed
by determining the presence of a signal at one or other of the
connectors. However it will be appreciated that the arrangement may
be reversed: that is with the multiple connectors on the module
instead of the base unit.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment described below the base unit
actuators are carried by the base unit in a fixed position.
However, the invention also extends to cover a video game
controller in which the base unit actuators are not fixed to the
base unit. For instance the base unit actuators may be carried by a
second module which is mounted to the base unit and can be rotated
between two or more orientations to adjust the configuration of the
base unit actuators relative to the base unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gamepad with the module in
an Xbox.TM. configuration;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gamepad with the module
in a Playstation.TM. configuration;
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the module being removed from the base
unit;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the
module;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top of the module;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base unit with the
module removed; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the recess in the base
unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
[0028] A gamepad 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a base unit 2 and a
module 3 mounted to the base unit. The base unit carries an analog
stick 4 and a set of four action buttons 5. The module 3 carries an
analog stick 6 and a directional pad 7 (conventionally known as a
D-pad).
[0029] The gamepad 1 provides user input to a video game running on
a game processor (not shown). The game processor may comprise a
dedicated video game console such as a Sony Playstation.TM. or
Microsoft Xbox.TM., or a more generic computing device such as an
IBM PC.TM. or laptop.
[0030] The analog sticks 4, 6 and D-pad 7 act as direction
controllers: that is, actuation signals generated in response to
user input by the analog sticks 4, 6 and D-pad 7 are generally used
to control direction in the video game, such as the direction of
movement of a person in a first-person shooting game. The actuation
signals generated in response to user input by the action buttons 5
generally prompt an action in the video game, such as the firing of
a shot in a first-person shooting game.
[0031] The base unit 2 has a pair of hand grips 8 extending from
its front, and a wire (also not shown) connecting the gamepad to
the game processor extends from the rear of the base unit.
[0032] The analog stick 6 and D-pad 7 are arranged in the
orientation shown in FIG. 1; that is, with the D-pad 7 at the
front-center position, and the analog stick 6 at the rear-left
position. In this orientation the D-pad 7 is symmetrically opposite
the analog stick 4, enabling the D-pad 7 to be operated by the left
thumb and the analog stick 4 to be operated by the right thumb.
This configuration is commonly used in a conventional Xbox.TM.
gamepad.
[0033] The module 3 can be rotated between the orientation shown in
FIG. 1 to the orientation shown in FIG. 2, in which the analog
stick 6 is at the front-center position. This configuration is
commonly used in a conventional Playstation.TM. gamepad. Note that
both the analog stick 6 and D-pad 7 are accessible to a user,
whether the module is in the FIG. 1 orientation or the FIG. 2
orientation. The rotation of the module is in the same plane as the
base unit--i.e. horizontal if the base unit is being held
horizontally.
[0034] The module 3 is housed in a recess 10 in the upper face of
the base unit, shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. Two pairs of spring
loaded latches 12 are provided at the base of the recess. The
latches 12 engage with recesses 20 on each side of the module 3,
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A button 13 can be pressed to disengage the
latches 12 and eject the module from the recess as shown in FIG.
3.
[0035] The base of the module, shown in FIG. 4, has a pair of
recesses 21, 22 which are offset from the center of the module by
an equal distance D. Therefore the distance between the centers of
the recesses 21, 22 is 2D as illustrated in FIG. 4. A set of eight
electrical pins 23 projects from the base of the recess 21. This
set of pins 23 carries actuation signals from both the analog stick
6 and the D-pad 7. The base of the recess 10 in the base unit has
two plugs 14, 15 shown in FIG. 7, each carrying a set of eight
electrical sockets, which are each offset from the center of the
recess by the distance D. The plugs 14, 15 slide into the module
recesses 21, 22 when the module is fitted to the base unit.
[0036] Each plug 14, 15 forms a first half of a signal interface
which couples the module to the base unit when the module is in a
particular orientation. That is, when the module 3 is in the
orientation of FIG. 1 the pins 23 are inserted into the sockets
carried by the plug 14, and when the module 3 is in the orientation
of FIG. 2 the pins 23 are inserted into the sockets carried by the
other plug 15.
[0037] The plugs 14, 15 each have respective output lines (not
shown) which lead to a processor (not shown) in the base unit. The
processor senses the orientation of the module by determining the
presence of a signal on one or other of the output lines. The
processor also acts as an interface between the video game and the
various actuators on the game pad. An indication light 16 is
illuminated a first colour when the module 3 is in the
configuration of FIG. 1, and a second colour when the module 3 is
in the configuration of FIG. 2.
[0038] Although the invention has been described above with
reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be
appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *